City Living

December 19, 2023

These are the library books New Yorkers checked out the most in 2023

New York City's three public library systems on Tuesday revealed their most checked-out titles of 2023. At the New York Public Library, the most borrowed book of the year was "Lessons in Chemistry" by Bonnie Garmus. In Queens, the top checkout was "Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yaros, and in Brooklyn, "I'm Glad My Mom Died" by Jennette McCurdy.
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November 22, 2023

The best books of 2023, according to the NYPL

The New York Public Library on Tuesday released its annual list of the best books of the year. The recommendations were curated by eight NYPL committees that reviewed nearly 3,000 books and selected 240 of the best titles for children, teens, and adults in 2023. You can use the NYPL's Best Books of 2023 list as a tool to help you find a new book for yourself or as a holiday gift for a loved one.
get the list here
October 19, 2023

The best bar in North America is on the Lower East Side

The best bar in North America is in New York City. The annual list of the world's 50 best bars was unveiled this week and the Lower East Side's Double Chicken Please took second place, making it the best bar on this continent. Two other Manhattan bars made the list: Overstory in the Financial District at 17 and and Katana Kitten in Greenwich Village at 27.
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September 20, 2023

How to start an art collection in NYC

In a city where you’re surrounded by art — from the classics at the Met to Chelsea’s contemporary art gallery scene to performers on the subway — day-to-day life is an immersive art experience. "The art community is extremely dynamic and diversified (in New York City),” said Ashkan Baghestani, Head of Contemporary Day Sale at Sotheby's. "People are interested in art and … sophisticated New Yorkers are people who spend time appreciating art. That does not mean they always buy it." So when it comes to bringing that art into your home, where do you start? And is it even possible on a budget?
tips and tricks this way
August 16, 2023

4 NYC seafood spots that will make you feel like you’re on vacation

Nothing says summer in the Northeast like sitting by the water with fresh seafood and a cold drink. Lobster rolls, oysters, and steamers on the coast probably conjure up images of weekends in the Hamptons, Cape Cod, or Maine, but there are some hidden gems right here in New York City that will make you feel like you’re on a summer getaway — and you don’t even have to battle that weekend traffic. Here are four spots to check out while summer is still in full swing.
see the spots
July 26, 2023

8 ways to stay cool (and safe) during NYC’s heat wave

Another heat wave is here. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for New York City starting this week, with temperatures expected to reach over 90 degrees. Staying cool on a hot day is no joke, as heat contributes to the deaths of roughly 350 New Yorkers each year. Ahead, find some ways to beat the heat, from taking a swim in one of the city's free outdoor pools to running through spray showers and sprinklers at your local park.
Beat the heat
July 14, 2023

Rise Up NYC returns to the five boroughs with 8 free concerts

"Rise up NYC," a series of free concert events, is returning to New York City after debuting last summer. Mayor Eric Adams on Thursday announced the second year of the event series, which will bring eight easily-accessible live performances to all of the five boroughs. This year's Rise Up NYC will kick off on Wednesday, July 19, and run through Sunday, August 20, featuring critically acclaimed artists like K. Michelle, Stokley, Farmer Nappy, and Hot 97 Disc Jockey Funk Flex, with more performers to be announced.
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July 3, 2023

Where to find free outdoor fitness classes in NYC

"New York City has different changes and energies throughout the seasons," says Robert Atterbury, executive vice president of relationships and programs for the Hudson River Park Trust. And the summer season is the time when parks and outdoor public spaces come alive. New Yorkers come out from apartments, offices, and coffee shops to run, stroll, picnic, hang out — and work out for free — in the city's beautiful outdoor spaces. "It's part of what makes New York New York — the outdoor gathering. It is important, and I think it shows off the diversity that NYC offers," Atterbury said.
Where to get fit for free
June 23, 2023

NYC’s latest casino bid calls for two 46-story skyscrapers across from the Javits Center

Larry Silverstein of Silverstein Properties has joined the cast of prominent developers competing for one of three downstate casino licenses. Silverstein Properties on Friday announced plans for "The Avenir," a hotel, casino, entertainment, and residential development on a vacant plot of land on the border of Hudson Yards and Hell's Kitchen. Located at 41st Street and 11th Avenue, just north of the Javits Center, the proposed 1.8 million square foot project includes two 46-story towers with a luxury hotel, a top-floor performance hall, affordable housing, and an eight-story casino run by Greenwood Gaming and Entertainment at the base.
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June 22, 2023

Union Square’s Regal movie theater is here to stay

Just months after New Yorkers lamented the loss of Regal Union Square, the company announced a deal to keep the movie theater open after all. Regal last week said it had signed a new long-term lease with Related Companies to continue the operation of its theater at Broadway and 13th Street for "many years to come." In January, the country's second-largest movie theater planned to close 39 locations, including Regal Union Square, as part of its Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, as EV Grieve reported.
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June 19, 2023

Chelsea Waterside Park reopens after $15.2M overhaul

Hudson River Park's Chelsea Waterside Park reopened last week after an extensive $15.2 million renovation. Designed by Abel Bainnson Butz, LLP and CDR Design Studio Architects, the park has been enhanced with new plantings, a public restroom, a permanent picnic area with lighting, a spacious turf sports field, and an expansive dog run. Located at West 23rd Street and the Westside Highway in Manhattan, the revamped park's layout prioritizes usable green space for New Yorkers.
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June 15, 2023

New York City’s best spots for bird watching

With hundreds of parks and over 500 miles of waterfront, New York City is an excellent place for bird watching. The five boroughs serve as a temporary and permanent home to over 400 species of bird, thanks to both habitat diversity and location on the Atlantic Flyway, the route birds follow during migrations. From Pelham Bay Park in the northeast Bronx down to Great Kills Park on the South Shore of Staten Island, there is no shortage of birding activities in New York. We've rounded up the best places to find feathered friends throughout the city, most of which are accessible via public transportation. For guided bird-watching tours and walks, check out events from NYC Parks, NYC Audubon, and the Linnaean Society of New York.
Full list ahead
June 12, 2023

‘Summer Streets’ coming to all five boroughs this year

The "Summer Streets" program will expand to all five boroughs for the first time ever. The annual event, which began in 2008, closes several miles of Manhattan streets to cars for outdoor recreation and activities. This year, the popular program will also come to Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island over five Saturdays between July and August, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Monday.
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June 7, 2023

MTA celebrates Pride Month with train decals and limited-edition MetroCards

In celebration of Pride Month, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority has decorated subway cars, buses, and commuter rail lines with Pride-themed decals, digital displays, and posters. The agency also released a special MetroCard that is available at select subway stations throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
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June 6, 2023

NYC’s free Shakespeare in the Park program returns this week

Shakespeare in the Park, the Public Theater's beloved free program in Central Park, returns to the Delacorte Theater this week. Directed by Tony Award winner Kenny Leon, the Public will present one performance of "Hamlet" for an extended nine-week run from Thursday, June 8 until Sunday, August 6. A production of "The Tempest" will be presented from Sunday, August 27 through Sunday, September 3 before the Delacorte Theater closes for renovations.
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May 26, 2023

Manhattanhenge magic is returning to New York City’s grid

The spectacular sunset that aligns exactly with the Manhattan street grid and only comes twice a year happened for the first time this past Memorial Day. The magical Manhattanhenge was first visible on May 29 at 8:13 p.m., when a half-sun streamed through major cross streets. According to the American Museum of Natural History, the final phenomenon of the year takes place this week, on Wednesday, July 12 and Thursday, July 13.
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May 16, 2023

A section of NYC skateboarding ‘mecca’ Brooklyn Banks reopens in Chinatown

Parts of a long-neglected public space under the Brooklyn Bridge once known as the "mecca" of New York City skateboarding will reopen this month. On Wednesday, May 24, "The Arches," a one-acre public space with basketball, pickleball, shuffleboard, and seating under the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, will officially open after being shuttered for over a decade, Mayor Eric Adams announced last week. The new park sits next to Brooklyn Banks, a haven for skateboarders and BMX riders starting in the 1980s before closing in 2010.
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May 11, 2023

Where to work remotely outside in New York City

As the weather warms up, WFH can become WFO — work from outside! Bad puns aside, the internet has become ubiquitous, with public internet hotspots popping up everywhere in recent years. Today, many public areas and parks — including National Parks — around the world offer free Wi-Fi. And in New York City, access is expanding.
See the spots
May 9, 2023

19 best spots in NYC for outdoor music this summer

The summer is one of the most lively times of the year in New York City, with fun events everywhere you look. The season is especially exciting for music lovers who can enjoy an extensive selection of both free and ticketed shows at outdoor venues across the five boroughs. We've rounded up the best open-air spots hosting concerts in the coming months, from a jam-packed season at Forest Hills Stadium in celebration of its 100th anniversary to Lincoln Center's botanically-transformed campus for its three-month-long arts festival.
Get ready to groove
May 4, 2023

NYC’s containerized trash program would eliminate 150,000 parking spaces

Containerization, storage of trash in sealed bins rather than in plastic bags, is possible on 89 percent of New York City's streets with residential properties. A new analysis released by the city's Department of Sanitation this week found installing collection receptacles across the city is actually feasible, but would require the elimination of roughly 150,000 parking spaces, or 10 percent of all curb space on blocks with residential buildings. As first reported by the New York Times, the city will launch a pilot program in West Harlem this fall that will include the installation of trash containers in parking spots on up to 10 blocks and at more than a dozen schools.
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April 27, 2023

Dine-in movie theater to open at Bjarke Ingels’ VIA 57 West

A new dine-in movie theater is opening inside a luxury residential building in Midtown next month. Located within the Bjarke Ingels-designed and Durst Organization-developed VIA 57 WEST, Look Dine-In Cinema's new flagship location offers a premium movie experience with large screens, state-of-the-art sound systems, luxury seating, and extensive food and beverage options. The theater opens on Thursday, May 4.
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April 17, 2023

Knicks, Nets, Devils, Islanders, and Rangers all in playoffs for the first time since 1994

New York-area sports fans rejoice: All five local hockey and basketball teams made the playoffs this year for the first time in nearly 30 years. The Knicks, Nets, Devils, Rangers, and Islanders are kicking off their postseasons, the first time all teams have been in the playoffs together since 1994 when the Rangers won the Stanley Cup and the Knicks lost to the Houston Rockets in a seven-game series in the NBA Finals.
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April 13, 2023

New York City hires its first-ever ‘rat czar’

New York City has finally found the rat vanquisher it's been looking for. Mayor Eric Adams on Wednesday appointed Kathleen Corradi as the city's first-ever director of rodent mitigation, also referred to as the "rat czar." Corradi, who will earn $155,000, will work with city government agencies, community organizations, and private sector companies to effectively reduce the rat population across the five boroughs.
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April 6, 2023

Beach closures scheduled in the Rockaways this summer, but boardwalk will fully open

Beach closures at the Rockaways are scheduled once again this summer, but city officials say the shutdown won't be as disruptive as last year. Starting on Memorial Day weekend, 10 to 15 blocks of the beach will temporarily close on a rolling basis throughout the summer, the city's Parks Department announced this week. Closures, necessary for continued work on the Atlantic Shorefront Resiliency Project, will shift as necessary, moving west from Beach 116th Street and east from Beach 143rd Street, according to the agency. The Rockway boardwalk and its concessions will remain fully open.
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